Raymond helps UWA down West Georgia
CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Alabama posted a season high of 73.3 percent shooting from the field (83.3 percent 3-point shooting) to defeat the West Georgia 80-78 in Gulf South Conference basketball action Thursday at UWG Coliseum. Desmond Raymond fell two points shy of his third career best game this season with 27 points; 18 in the second half.
The win broke a two-way tie for third place in the GSC standings between the two teams, improving UWA to 7-5 overall and 4-2 in GSC play. West Georgia suffered its first home loss of the season, falling to 10-4 and 3-3.
West Alabama jumped to a 15 point lead in the first 10 minutes, but the Wolves cut the deficit down to two with the Tigers leading 38-36 at the half.
UWA trailed only once in the first five minutes of the second half, but the Wolves rallied later in the half, posting nine points in the final 40 seconds to cut the deficit to one. A final free-throw from Jarrell Byrd secured the Tiger victory.
“We did enough tonight, and we’ll take it,” UWA head coach Mark Downey said.
“Wins on the road in the GSC are tough, and you just have to find a way to win. We grew up a little bit tonight, and improved just enough. We made our shots, but 16 turnovers really hurt us. At the half, our main focus was taking care of the ball.
“When they came back and took the lead in the second half, we didn’t flinch. I really like that we stayed focused and finished the game, and Desmond was a big part of that. He really improved in the second half. He’s playing almost better than anyone else in the league right now.”
Raymond ended 10-of-17 from the field; 5-of-9 from the 3-point arc. Sandy Underwood and Jarrell Byrd each ended with 18 points, while Byrd led with seven rebounds.
Lleon Tillman, who has posted three double-doubles in the last three games, was held to nine points and four boards.
Deonte Stocks led the Wolves in points with 32, the most by a Tiger opponent this season. Phillip Flowers followed Stocks and Sean Boston came off the bench to tally double figures scoring. Flowers posted 15, and Boston ended with 10. UWG led 34-4 in bench points.
West Alabama returns home to face Shorter on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. in Pruitt Hall.
“It doesn’t get any easier for us in the league, but at least we’re returning home,” said Downey. “We just have to keep improving, but a road win’s a road win and we’ll take it.”